Philosophy of Social Science : A New Introduction

This is a much-needed new introduction to a field that has been transformed in recent years by exciting new subjects, ideas, and methods. It is designed both for students with central interests in philosophy and those planning to concentrate on the social sciences, and it presupposes no particular background in either domain. From the wide range of topics at the forefront of debate in philosophy of social science, the editors have chosen those which are representative of the most important and interesting contemporary work. A team of distinguished experts explore key aspects of the field such as social ontology (what are the things that social science studies?), objectivity, formal methods, measurement, and causal inference. Also included are chapters focused on notable subjects of social science research, such as well-being and climate change. __Philosophy of Social Science__ provides a clear, accessible, and up-to-date guide to this fascinating field. This Is A Much-needed New Introduction To A Field That Has Been Transformed In Recent Years By Exciting New Subjects, Ideas, And Methods. It Is Designed Both For Students With Central Interests In Philosophy And Those Planning To Concentrate On The Social Sciences, And It Presupposes No Particular Background In Either Domain. From The Wide Range Of Topics At The Forefront Of Debate In Philosophy Of Social Science, The Editors Have Chosen Those Which Are Representative Of The Most Important And Interesting Contemporary Work. A Team Of Distinguished Experts Explore Key Aspects Of The Field Such As Social Ontology (what Are The Things That Social Science Studies?), Objectivity, Formal Methods, Measurement, And Causal Inference. Also Included Are Chapters Focused On Notable Subjects Of Social Science Research, Such As Well-being And Climate Change. Philosophy Of Social Science Provides A Clear, Accessible, And Up-to-date Guide To This Fascinating Field. -- Back Cover. Well-being / Anna Alexandrova -- Climate Change / Wendy Parker -- Evidence-based Policy / Eileen Munro -- Community-based Collaborative Archaeology / Alison Wylie -- Social Ontology / Deborah Tollefsen -- Individuals Or Populations? / Helen Longino -- Scientific Objectivity / Eleonora Montuschi -- Feminist Standpoint Theory / Sharon Crasnow -- Values In Social Science / Heather Douglas -- Choice Models / Katie Steele -- Norms, Conventions, And The Power Of Expectations / Cristina Bicchieri -- Interdisciplinarity In Action / Sophia Efstathiou And Zara Mirmalek -- Social Epistemology In Practice / Miriam Solomon -- Measurement / Nancy Cartwright And Rosa Runhardt -- Case Studies / Mary S. Morgan -- Causal Inference / Nancy Cartwright. Edited By Nancy Cartwright And Eleonora Montuschi. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. This is a much-needed new introduction to a field that has been transformed in recent years by exciting new subjects, ideas, and methods. It is designed for students in both philosophy and the social sciences. Topics include ontology, objectivity, method, measurement, and causal inference, and such issues as well-being and climate change.